For 2018, Portsmouth has defined “bulky waste” as consisting of household furniture (pillows removed) that could not fit in a PAYT bag. The items in the “Bulky Waste” bin are eventually compacted in the solid waste pit.
The “Bulky Waste” bin is provided as a convenience, but is often a source of confusion. It has been reported by Transfer Station staff that residents throw in items that are large, but could fit into PAYT bags (e.g. basketballs, cushions, pillows, and suitcases). More alarmingly, it has been reported that it appears commercial businesses (e.g., realtors, trash removal services, etc.) that empty houses of furniture are abusing the “Bulky Waste” bin under the guise of being ordinary residential users of the Transfer Station.
Any item disposed as bulky waste adds to the tonnage (RIRRC tipping fees) and transportation costs. As a comparable, Middletown offers residents participating in their curbside PAYT program quarterly bulky waste “amnesty days,” otherwise fees are assessed for various bulky waste items:
http://refuse-collection.middletownri.com/bulk-waste-information/
In Portsmouth, most of the items listed at the above URL can be diverted (toilets, bicycles, appliances, wood, clean mattress/box spring, etc). can all be diverted for free to ABC, scrap metal, appliances, C&D, and finally mattresses, respectively.